Benedict Cumberbatch helped us raise £155,350 last night

Benedict Cumberbatch certainly knows how to command attention -
and also how to cajole wealthy guests into parting with their money
for a great cause. "Please help us tonight by digging deep, buying
yourself some truly phenomenal, ground-breaking art you see in the
room and help get these young lives back on track,"
Cumberbatch said from the stage at last night's GQ 25th Anniversary
auction at the Phillips Auction House in London's Victoria for The
Prince's Trust. The crowd - including David Bailey,
Tamsin Egerton, Claudia Winkleman, Nicholas
Oakwell, Ben Fogel and Nick
Rhodes - responded with considerable vigour.

The bids came thick and fast - £24,000 for Mario Testino's
portrait of Lara Stone (including telephone bids from her husband
David Walliams), £12,000 for Paul Solomons and Simon Emmett's
artwork of Kelly Brook, £7,000 for Rosie Huntington Whiteley and
£6,500 for a portrait of the late, great Lee McQueen. In total the
auction raised a staggering £155,350. Thanks to our sponsors Beluga
Vodka, Turnbull & Asser and Land Securities, and all those who
contributed to what was a truly extraordinary night.